Low Mile 5-Speed: 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

Sometimes, you have to travel a little outside of your comfort zone to find a car that checks every box. In the case of this 1986 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z, you’ll have to make the trek to Vancouver if it catches your eye. And really, it may be worth the drive, because this Camaro combines great colors and low miles with the hard-to-find 5-speed manual transmission. The seller notes it has just 32,0000 KMs, which works out to just under 20,000 original miles. Find it here on craigslist for $31,500.

Let’s talk first about the color scheme. The burgundy paint with the gold decals is just downright handsome, but then to pair it with the red cloth interior and carpeting is nothing short of eye-popping. I’m guessing this Camaro was a custom order when new, because I can’t see the dealer choosing this just to have it get parked on the lot. The 5-speed manual, of course, is the big story here since it’s surprisingly rare to find a 3rd-generation Camaro or Firebird with a stick. I’d love to know what other options this car has, since it seems likely the first owner added some other features to his or her liking.

The 305 V8 produced 170 b.h.p. and 250 lb-ft of torque. Healthy numbers for the era, and certainly more impactful with three pedals. The beauty of 3rd-generation Camaros and Firebirds is multifold: first of all, they are affordable to run. Secondly, upgrades exist in such a wide variety that you don’t have to over-modify these cars to gain a few extra horsepower. And third, cars like these simply don’t exist in large quantities despite the massive production numbers. You get to own a truly rare specimen without the massive price tag that comes with other high-performance vehicles.

The gold-painted coves on the wheels tie in nicely to the body decals, and rear window louvers are an absolute treat. This Camaro is indeed collector-grade, but even with the somewhat high asking price and cost of importation, I doubt you’d ever lose money on it. They have been undervalued for so long, and with the 5-speed manual, you can actually set it up for road course or autocross work if you want to add another (fun, and relatively harmless) dimension to the driving experience. Bigger sway bars, lower it slightly, and add some track tires and Bob’s your uncle! Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find.